Balance the following expression: __ CH3CH2COOH + __ O2 → __ CO2 + __ H2O How many moles of O2 are required for the complete combustion of 6 mol of propanoic acid?

We need 21.0 moles of O2

Explanation:

Step 1: Data given

Moles of propanoic acid = 6.0 moles

CH3CH2COOH = propanoic acid

Step 2: The balanced equation

2CH3CH2COOH + 7O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O

Step 3 : Calculate moles O2

For 2 moles propanoic acid we need 7 moles O2 to produce 6 moles CO2 and 6 moles H2O

For 6.0 moles propanoic acid we need 6.0 * 3.5 = 21 moles O2

We need 21.0 moles of O2